Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Introduction
Tower cranes are a common fixture at any major construction site. They often rise hundreds of feet into the air, and can reach out just as far. Tower cranes are used to lift steel, concrete, large tools like acetylene torches and generators, and a wide variety of other building materials.
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Definitions
Crane Consists of a rotating structure for lifting and lowering horizontally on rubber tires or crawler treads Hoist - Used to lift and lower load. Brake To slow or stop motion by friction or power Jib Extension attached to the boom point to provide added boom length for lifting specified loads. Boom angle indicator An accessory device that measures the angle of boom base section centerline to horizontal Load The weight of the object being lifted including: 1. Load block and hook 2. Wire rope 3. Rigging 4. Boom attachments 5. Ancillary attachment Pendants Stationary wire ropes used to support the boom
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Radius The horizontal distance from the axis of the rotation of the cranes superstructure to the center of the suspended load Superstructure The rotating frame, gantry and boom or other operating equipment Counter weight Weights used for balancing loads and the weight of the crane in providing stability
Crane Hazards
Improper load rating Excessive speeds No hand signals Inadequate inspection and maintenance Unguarded parts Unguarded swing radius Working too close to power lines Improper exhaust system Shattered windows No steps/guardrails walkways No boom angle indicator
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
2. The information in the crane's operating manual; 3. The crane's load chart, including all notes and warnings, and how to calculate or determine the crane's actual net capacity in every possible configuration; 4. Proper inspection and maintenance procedures to be followed in accordance with the guidelines of the manufacturer and owner; 5. Any site conditions that may affect crane operations, including the presence of overhead power lines, nearby structures, other cranes and concrete placement booms; and 6. Basic slinging techniques
Before and during crane operations, the crane operator must: 1. Check unauthorized persons are not present on the crane; 2. Check each crane motion is safe and without risk; and 3. Complete the daily inspection checklist, including filling out the crane logbook.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Control measures to minimize risk of injury from unsecured and dropped loads
Extreme care must be exercised when lifting loads in the vicinity of other persons, including other workers and members of the public. All workers must be clear of the load to be lifted, especially when adjacent materials or objects can be displaced. Where possible handling loads over public access areas such as footpaths, roads, highways, railways, waterways and buildings must be avoided Where this is necessary, control measures must be implemented to prevent or minimize the risk of injury from falling objects.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Material boxes
The tare mass and SWL should be clearly marked on all material boxes. Material boxes should be appropriate for the material being lifted, and be engineer-designed and certified. Four chains (one in each corner) should be attached to material boxes during lifting. Specifically designed material boxes should be used to lift smaller components. Boxes should have enclosed sides or robust mesh, with openings less than the minimum size of materials being lifted. Material boxes should be inspected and maintained, and inspection records kept. Loads within material boxes should be secured against movement. Materials should not be stacked higher than the side of the material box unless they are adequately secured, but at no time should the material box become top heavy.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Control measures to minimize risk of injury from unsecured and dropped loads
a. Formwork frames should be either tied together or lifting slings should be wrapped around the load. b. Loads of joists or bearers should be strapped together before lifting. c. Timber sheeting should be strapped together and lifted in a flat position. d. Sheets of plasterboard should be lifted in a specifically designed material box. If a material box is not used, then the lifting system must: Be certified by an engineer; Specify the minimum and maximum number of sheets; Specify number and locations of lifting slings; and Specify the capacity of lifting slings. e. Tag lines should be used as required to control loads. f. All loads should be supported where possible with dunnage, with the load distributed over the supporting surface. uniformly
g. Basket hitches should not be used wherever persons may be located near a lifted load, unless the sling is positively restrained from sliding along the load
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
The type of ladder access in tower cranes is sometimes determined by available space in the tower. Landings, with changes in direction of the ladder, should be provided where there is available space in the tower. This system will minimize injury to workers, in the event of them falling off the ladder. It also allows workers to take rest breaks while climbing. Where practicable, the vertical distance between landings should not exceed six meters. However, where the crane manufacturer has designed otherwise, the length of the lowest ladder in the tower may be up to 12.5 meters, and subsequent ladders may be up to 10 meters.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
The use of continuous vertical ladders for accessing the total length of the tower is not recommended. However, where it is impractical to provide anything but a continuous vertical ladder, a fall-arrest system that does not require the person to constantly hook on and off must be provided. The system may incorporate a vertical rail or rope with a locking cam device. The risk of injury to a person falling off a ladder can be reduced by ensuring the length of lanyard between the person and the vertical rail or rope, does not exceed 300 mm. Any ladder fall-arrest system is to comply with the requirements. Vertical ropes should be manufactured from a material that is not prone to UV degradation or corrosion (e.g. suitable grade of stainless steel). The provision of rest platforms beside a vertical ladder is not an adequate control measure on its own to reduce the potential fall distance of the person. The use of fold-down type platforms is also not recommended because they can hinder rescue procedures, and increase the risk of a person falling down the ladder.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Crane-lifted workboxes should be used by workers to gain access to elevated work areas that are otherwise difficult to reach to perform minor work of short duration. Generally, crane-lifted workboxes do not provide a level of safety equivalent to properly erected scaffolding, elevating work platforms and other specifically designed access systems. A crane-lifted workbox can, however, provide a higher level of safety than fall-arrest harness systems.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Before workboxes are selected as a means of access, a risk assessment should be undertaken and recorded demonstrating that the use of other means of access, such as scaffolding or elevating work platforms, is impractical. First aid boxes must only be used for the retrieval of injured persons.
All persons in the workbox must wear full body fall-arrest harnesses at all times. Harnesses must be attached to fall-arrest anchorage points in the workbox or to the main sling ring above the workers' heads. Energy absorbers must be provided on the lanyards. At least one person in the workbox must hold a Riggers certificate or equivalent to ensure correct directions are communicated to and from the crane operator.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Structural failure
Structural failure may include the failure of any crane component, such as the boom, jib, hydraulic rams or wire rope. Crane overloading is a major cause of structural failure. Structural failure may occur without warning. A tower crane may collapse if it becomes unstable through overloading. A collapse may be influenced by a number of factors, including The incorrect use of counterweights; Crane tower bolts being incorrectly torque; The incorrect installation of crane ties; and Poor design of the tower crane base
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Contact or collision
Contact or collision with other plant and structures may occur where sufficient clearances are not maintained between the tower crane and other plant and structures, such as other cranes, concrete pumping booms, buildings and overhead power lines.
Falling objects
Falling objects may result from erecting and dismantling activities, and the way loads are secured during lifting operations. Falling objects present a risk of injury to workers and members of the public. Persons may be at risk of falling from a height when undertaking activities associated with erecting and dismantling of tower cranes.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com
Daily Checks
Check that all ropes are correctly positioned on drums have not been displaced; their sheaves, and that
Visually check that no electrical equipment is exposed to contamination by oil, grease, water or dirt; Visually check, that no loss of fluids such as lubricating oil and coolant is apparent; Check the operation of all limiting devices or cut-outs and the dead mans handle or lever, using caution in making checks in case of malfunction; Check that the crane rated-capacity\ automatic safe load indicator is functional and that the required daily test of the device is carried out; Check that the correct air pressure is maintained in any pneumatic control system, e.g. brakes; Check that the lights, windscreen wiper (s) and washers operate efficiently; Check correct function of all crane controls without load; Check satisfactory operation of all audible and visual warning devices, as required by the manufacturers instructions; In the interests of safety and fire prevention, check that the crane is in a tidy condition and free from tins of oil, rags, tools or materials other than those for which storage provision is made, that means of access and egress are not obstructed and that the appropriate fire-fighting equipment is available; Check that the storm anchorages (where fitted) are satisfactory and that there are no obstructions in the path of travel of the crane; Check effectiveness of brakes and clutches before start of operation; Check that no tag out or layout devices are installed on the equipment or controls before the start of operation.
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P.O.Box: 184518, Ph: 04-2734038, Fax: 04-2734039, E mail: gulftest@emirates.net.ae , Website: www.gulftest.com